title: Raynaud's phenomenon (primary).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Raynaud's phenomenon is an episodic, reversible vasospasm of the peripheral arteries (usually digital). It causes pallor, followed by cyanosis and/or redness, often with pain and, at times, paraesthesia. On rare occasions, it can lead to ulceration of the fingers and toes (and, in some cases, of the ears or nose). This review focuses on primary (idiopathic) Raynaud's phenomenon, occurring in the absence of an underlying disease. The prevalence of primary Raynaud's phenomenon varies by sex, country, and exposure to workplace vibration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of drug treatments for primary Raynaud's phenomenon? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to August 2013 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 9 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: amlodipine, diltiazem, nicardipine, and nifedipine.
authors.affiliation: St Joseph's Health Care Rheumatology Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D006801:Humans; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D014456:Ulcer; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D009543:Nifedipine